Honey for the Soul
Pastor Jason Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. – Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
Last week, Jacob Hancock (sports journalist for the Daily Record) wrote his farewell article for our local paper as he headed off to Charlotte to take a new job. Jacob spoke about his growing fondness for our Dunn-area communities and the great people with whom he got to work. He noted some highlights from each of the schools he covered and offered many kind words in his goodbye piece. It was most certainly a right way to say goodbye.
Mott shared this article with me in excitement because of the most poignant words that Jacob shared. His words touched right into the theme we have been exploring on Sunday mornings. In fact, just the Sunday before his article, I shared with you about the Power of Words. Well, Jacob illustrates some of what I shared just beautifully:
I still remember the day, early in my time at The Daily Record, when a woman called, thanking me for the Student-Athlete story I wrote on her daughter and telling me she wanted to get it framed. The thought that my words might live on forever, hung up on a wall in someone’s house or on a refrigerator in someone’s kitchen was something that brought me unprecedented joy. It’s something I tried to consider with every story I wrote: “Make this story worth holding onto. Make your words mean something.”
Jacob Hancock, “I’m done in Dunn, but I’ll Never Forget You,” The Daily Record, January 30, 2020
If Jacob learned nothing else during his time in Dunn, this was no doubt worth it. It’s a message we all need to learn. Our words have power. Our words can – and do! – live on. And you never know who hears you and how your words impact them. Every kind word you utter has the power to bring you and someone else unprecedented joy.
And this should make us pause and take stock of everything we say. I was reminded of this again today as I listened to the radio, turned on the television, caught up on social media, and read the news. Over and over again, I saw and heard someone making fun of, speaking ill of, demeaning, or disregarding one person or another from last night’s State of the Union Speech. I heard it from every side and every angle. I even heard it from Christians. And it saddened me. The scripture that has come to my mind all day is the shortest in all the Bible:
Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
My prayer is that we can speak in a way that makes Jesus happy and proud. I pray we can speak in a way that follows after the very words of Jesus. I pray we can speak in a way that builds others up. I pray that we can learn how to disagree with respect and integrity. I pray that we can, like Jacob Hancock, learn how to speak in a way that is so gracious and powerful that the person we are speaking about will want to hang those words on his or her wall to bring us all unprecedented joy.
Sunday Evening Small Group
Beginning February 23, a Sunday evening small group will meet for 6 weeks to support you in examining your life and your relationship to God. Conversation and reflection will be fueled by David Platt’s Something Needs To Change.
If you have your life, your faith, and following Christ all figured out, then this study is not for you. But who are you kidding? None of us have it all figured out! We all need to examine the life to which Christ calls us.
There is a ministry burning within your heart. God has a mission in mind for you right where your great passion meets the world’s great need.
Will you have to re-prioritize your life? You betcha!
Will you find new depths of love for yourself and others? Guaranteed!
Welcome to the adventure that has been suppressed for oh so long!
Miss Sunday’s Message?
Read or listen to Pastor Jason’s message: Can We Talk? From Communication To Conversation
This Week at Hood…
Tuesday, February 4 – 6:30 pm – DWM (Disciples Women) meeting in the Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 5 – 1:30 pm – Prayer & Bible Study Small Group
Wednesday, February 5 – 6:30 pm – Choir Practice
Thursday, February 6 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at Inspirational Grounds for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation
Thursday, February 6 – 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love Meal Preparation & Delivery
Friday, February 7 – 6:00 pm – Valentine’s VBS Pizza Party @ Pizza Inn – Invite a neighbor and join us for pizza, singing, dancing, and learning about God’s love
Sunday, February 9 – 10:00 am – Sunday Morning Small Group
Sunday, February 9 – 11:00 am – Worship – Sermon: “Can We Talk? The Truth Between Us”
Coming Events…
Friday, February 14 – 6:00 pm – Valentine’s Banquet (email or call the church to sign-up)